M.V.Ruparelia, Chief Patron, All India
Confederation of Senior Citizens (AISCCON).
A503 Rashmi Utsav, Near Jangid Estate &
Vijay Park, Mira Road (E). District Thane, Maharashtra.
To
Date: 14-7-14.
Shri Ratan P. Watal,
Secretary, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, Room No. 129A, North Block, New
Delhi-110101.
Respected Sir,
Sub: Information in respect Of Action taken on Memorandum no.
1/6/2011-IR dt 15-4-13 for SUO MOTU Disclosure of various provisions of
National Policy of Older Persons, 99; Maintenance & Welfare of Parents
& Senior Citizens Act, 2007; Integrated Programmes of Older Persons, 2008;
National Programme for Health Care of
Elders, 2011 etc.
Ref: Our representation dt
7-4-14 to you replied by Shri S M Gupta, Under Secretary & CPIO under his
letter no. F. 11 (20)/2014-RTI dt 24-6-14.
As explained in the past, according to Allocation of Business Rules of Government
of India, though Ministry of Social Justice is allotted the work of welfare of
senior citizens as a Nodal Ministry, overall
management and monitoring etc. of the sectoral programmes in respect of Senior
Citizens is the responsibility of the concerned Central Ministries, State
Governments and Union territory Administrations. It is not clear from above communication whether
our letter dt 7-4-14 and DOPT`s letter dt 15-4-13 requiring specifically to be
put up to you were put up to you and you have passed specific orders on this
important subject. Coordinating Secretary of Finance Ministry has to consider
all provisions of DOPT letter dt 15-4-13 and decide whether any department of
Finance Ministry has to suo motu disclose under sec 4 of RTI Act, 2005 any
provisions of any of the four notified policies for welfare of senior citizens
and unreplied representations from senior citizens and their organizations.
It is observed that Finance Ministry is not
taking any action on various provisions in these notified Policies and when
representations are sent by individual senior citizens and their organizations,
no action is being taken. E.g. our All India Senior Citizens Confederation
representing more than 10 lakh elders of the entire country write letters throughout
the year to Finance Minister & Ministry officials, send resolutions,
observe National Protest Day on 16th August every year for last many
years and send demands pertaining to Finance Ministry to Minister and many
individuals and organizations also send representations for consideration of
Finance Ministry but no action is being taken inspite of clear directives in
the notified Policies. Standing Parliamentary Committee on implementation of
schemes for welfare of senior citizens in their 39th Report
(2013-14) has also criticized non-implementation of notified policies.
We give few examples of
clear directives in National Policy, 99 for which action is required to be
taken by Finance Ministry without waiting for any proposals from any Ministry
and are required to be shown in SUO MOTU Disclosure of Finance Ministry as per
DOPT directive dt 15-4-13. If these provisions are not to be implemented and
not shown in Disclosure under Sec 4 of RTI Act, 2005 by Finance Ministry,
please indicate which Ministry has to send proposals for these provisions:-
i)
Para 24
of NPOP, 99: Some level of income security in old age is goal of the
Government, which will be given high priority. Policy instruments to cover
different income segments will be developed etc.
ii)
Para 28:
Taxation Policies will reflect sensitivity to financial problems of older
persons, which accelerate due to very high costs of medical and nursing care,
transportation and support services needed at home etc. Unless, this is
included in Disclosure and referred to from time to time, especially at the
time of annual exercise of Budget, how this can be implemented. Giving same concession, as to general
citizens of Rs 50000 without examining and accepting this provision of seeing sensitivity
to financial problems of older persons, which accelerate every year due to very
high costs of medical and nursing care, transportation and support services
needed at home and any considerations for 80(+) and considering higher rebates
for medical expenses etc, there is no implementation.
iii)
Para 29:
Long term savings instruments to be promoted, ensuring that payments at the end
are attractive enough to care of likely erosion in purchasing power due to erosion/inflation.
Unless this is included in Disclosure and referred from time to time and at the
time of budget, how higher rates of interest from time to time can be laid down
and ensured. State Bank of India gives ¼% extra and other Banks ½% extra for
years together. Finance Ministry has to ensure that higher rates are laid down from
time to time and Banks made to pay.
iv)
Paras 34,
36 & 38: Health Insurance has to be given high priority to cater to the
needs of different income segments, providing for varying contributions and
benefits. Trusts, charitable societies and voluntary agencies are to be
assisted by grants, tax reliefs etc to provide free, concessional medical
facilities to older persons. Shastri
Committee was nominated by Finance Ministry and IRDA had given its
recommendations under their letter no. 3/IRDA/Health/SRCC/09-10 dt 25-5-2009 to Ministry of Finance but
this is not yet finalized. This has to be shown in Disclosure and referred from
time to time till finalized.
v)
Para
63: Welfare Fund has to be created by Finance Ministry and not by any other
Ministry. Tax concessions to others for contributions to such funds are also to
be decided by Finance Ministry.
vi)
Paras
81 & 82: Finance Ministry has to decide quantum of tax relief, rebates for
medical expenses from time to time for encouraging children to co-reside with
their parents.
vii)
Para
12: Finance Ministry has to make effective provision for financial security of
older persons from time to time.
viii)
Para
15: Finance Ministry has to strengthen from time to time the legitimate place
of older persons in the Society and help them financially to live their last
phase of life with purpose, dignity and peace. For this, Ministry should include
this in their Disclosure and issue & reiterate instructions to all
officials of the Ministry including all organizations like Banks etc under
them.
ix)
Para
93: Preparation of Annual & Five Year Plan for all provisions pertaining to
them and their disclosure must be ensured.
x)
All
representations to Ministers and offices of Finance Ministry not replied are to
be indicated in Disclosure as per para 3.3.1 of DOPT directive dt 15-4-13.
We shall be thankful, if the above points
are examined in consultation with all Secretaries of Finance Ministry and
detailed reasoned orders are given in terms of para 66 of Office Manual at an
early date.
Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely,
(M.V.Ruparelia)
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